Israel Active

(M) 15 Israeli financial technologies startups will showcase their innovation to UK finance leaders in London on March 2-5.  The 15 won their places in the 2015 TeXchange Fintech challenge, organized by the UK Israel Tech Hub at the British Embassy in Israel.

Israeli demand for new cars is a key indicator of economic optimism.  So the 23% rise in deliveries in Jan 2015 compared to Jan 2014 (itself a record month) was significant. 

Israel’s strength in cyber security was evidenced when Israel’s SuperCom acquired Israel’s PreVision.  SuperCom’s NASDAQ share price has risen 1600% in two years.

Israel's economy expanded at its fastest rate in almost eight years in the fourth quarter, with overall GDP growing an annualized 7.2 percent, following previous estimates of 3.3%.  The recovery was seen in all segments – exports, Government spending, investment and business GDP.

Israel’s Sodastream is launching new lines of products made of all natural flavors and ingredients, less sugar and no preservatives.  The reduced calorie, zero calories, nutritional supplements and lightly sweetened water series will be launched this spring, initially in Israel.

Apple boss Tim Cook is coming to Israel to formally open Apple Israel's new headquarters in Herzliya Pituach. Apple’s Israeli development center will house 800 Israeli employees, mainly from Apple’s purchases of Anobit, PrimeSense and from hiring ex-Texas Instruments staff.

UK readers will soon be able to use Israeli taxi app GetTaxi in seven UK cities.  GetTaxi has been operating in London for 3 years and is expanding to Edinburgh, Liverpool and Manchester immediately. It will also launch in Birmingham, Leeds and Glasgow in the next few months.  GetTaxi has also launched an app for smart-watches running the Android Wear operating system.

Multinational software giant Microsoft has bought Israel’s N-trig for an estimated $200 million.  N-trig has developed a chip for a digital pen and computer screen interface.

Tel Aviv has 1,515 high tech companies that employ 43,000 workers.  Now, Tel Aviv municipality subsidiary Global City is giving incentive packages to entrepreneurs from abroad in order to add knowledge, diversity, and become global - thus strengthening the economy.

The Israel Dealmakers Summit 24-25 Mar 2015 in New York City promises thousands of global entrepreneurs, innovators, dealmakers and investors. It features world-class speakers and networking in the areas of Digital Media, Mobile & Wireless, CyberSecurity, Life Sciences and much more.